William "Bill" Otis Nelson died on Dec. 1, 2012 at age 92. He was born on Nov. 23, 1920 in Barber, Ark. to Pearl Pyles Nelson and Seab Sam Nelson.

He was a graduate of Booneville High School and attended Arkansas Tech, Russellville, before enlisting in the Navy. He served four years in the Pacific area during World War II. Under the GI Bill, he enrolled at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville and graduated in 1951. After teaching agriculture for one year at Newport, Ark., Bill relocated to California, where he worked for the state of California Department of Agriculture. After retirement and following the death of his wife, he returned to Booneville, Ark.

Bill was a Baptist and worked with the state of California Volunteer Missions building churches and homes in California, Idaho and Utah as well as numerous overseas locations. He also helped with disaster relief in Hawaii. He was an active member of Gideons International, the American Legion and was a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. He was a member of Westwood Baptist Church in Greenwood, Ark.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie Nelson (wife) and Althea Nelson (wife).

He is survived by three step-children: Harriet Mushett (Jim) of Montague, Paul Freshour of Portland, Ore. and Mary Bertram of Concord, Calif.; numerous grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. He is survived by one sister, Wynema L. Littlefield of Fort Smith and one brother, Talmadge S. Nelson of Fayetteville and many nieces and nephews. Mary Littlefield was a compassionate friend and caregiver.

A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2012 at Westwood Baptist Church in Greenwood with burial at Glendale Cemetery near Booneville under the direction of the McConnell Funeral Home of Greenwood.